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Q74 (IAS/2018) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Buddhist doctrine and sects Official Key

With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

Bodhisattva Maitreya is believed by the majority to be the Buddha yet to come[2], and Maitreya Buddha replaces Sakyamuni Buddha to save the world[4]. This makes Maitreya the future Buddha destined to appear and save humanity.

The other options refer to different manifestations or names of Avalokiteshvara, a bodhisattva of compassion. In Indochina and Thailand, he is Lokesvara, "The Lord of the World"[5], and Padmapani (lotus holder) is a Sanskrit term referring to Lokeshvara, the bodhisattva[6]. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others[7]. While bodhisattvas help sentient beings, only Maitreya is specifically identified as the future Buddha who will come to save the world.

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara
  2. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara
  3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya
  4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya
  5. [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara
  6. [6] https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=6332
  7. [7] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism > p. 103
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Q. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ? [A] Avalokiteshvara [B] L…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10
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This is a classic 'Sitter' found in standard Art & Culture resources (NCERT Fine Arts, Nitin Singhania). The question tests the most fundamental distinction in the Mahayana pantheon: the difference between the current compassionate helper (Avalokiteshvara) and the messianic successor (Maitreya). If you missed this, your static revision is weak.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In Indian history, is Avalokiteshvara described as a future Buddha yet to come to save the world?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"he is known as *Natha-deva* and is believed by the majority to be the Buddha yet to come, *Bodhisattva Maitreya*."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies Avalokiteśvara (Nātha) with the Buddha yet to come, i.e., Bodhisattva Maitreya.
  • Directly ties Avalokiteśvara/Nātha to the concept of a future Buddha in the cited text.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Maitreya Buddha replaces Sakyamuni Buddha to save the world"
Why this source?
  • Describes Maitreya as the future Buddha who 'replaces Sakyamuni Buddha to save the world', clarifying the role attributed to the future Buddha.
  • Supports the claim that the 'Buddha yet to come' (Maitreya) is conceived as a savior figure who will save the world.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism > p. 103
Strength: 5/5
“By the first century CE, there is evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Early Buddhist teachings had given great importance to self-effort in achieving nibbana. Besides, the Buddha was regarded as a human being who attained enlightenment and nibbana through his own efforts. However, gradually the idea of a saviour emerged. It was believed that he was the one who could ensure salvation. Simultaneously, the concept of the Bodhisatta also developed. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others.”
Why relevant

Describes the Mahayana development where the idea of a 'saviour' and the concept of Bodhisattva (compassionate beings who delay nibbana to help others) emerged.

How to extend

A student could use this rule to ask whether Avalokiteshvara, identified as a Bodhisattva, was ever described in texts as a future Buddha or messianic saviour within Mahayana literature.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Architecture and Sculpture > p. 129
Strength: 5/5
“Hariti with children are significant. Bodhisattva carved out independently is another important feature. The popular Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is depicted in painting and sculpture.”
Why relevant

Explicitly names Avalokitesvara as a 'popular Bodhisattva' depicted in painting and sculpture, linking the figure to the Bodhisattva role noted above.

How to extend

One could combine this with knowledge of Mahayana Bodhisattva roles to investigate textual or inscriptional sources that describe Avalokiteshvara's eschatological or future-Buddha attributes.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Aianta > p. 133
Strength: 4/5
“From Jataka stories and select scenes from the life history of Buddha are depicted. Apart from the statue of Buddha, Bodhisattva is also a striking feature of chaityas and viharas.”
Why relevant

Notes Bodhisattva figures are prominent in chaityas and viharas and appear alongside Jataka/Buddha scenes, showing Bodhisattvas were important subjects of religious representation.

How to extend

A student might examine the iconography and captions of such Bodhisattva images (e.g., at Ajanta) and related inscriptions to see if Avalokiteshvara is described with future-Buddha motifs.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Religious Policy > p. 109
Strength: 3/5
“Harsha was a worshipper of Siva at least up to 631 CE. But he embraced Buddhism under the influence of his sister Rajyasri and the Buddhist monk Hieun Tsang. He subscribed to the Mahayana school of thought. Yet he held discourses among learned men of various creeds. Slaughter of animals and consumption of meat was restricted. Harsha summoned two Buddhist assemblies (643 CE), one at Kanauj and another at Prayag. The assembly at Kanauj was attended by 20 kings including Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa. A large number of Buddhist, Jain and Vedic scholars attended the assembly. A golden statue of Buddha was consecrated in a monastery and a small statue of Buddha (three feet) was brought out in a procession.”
Why relevant

Records a historical figure (Harsha) subscribing to Mahayana Buddhism and organising large assemblies, indicating Mahayana doctrines (including Bodhisattva/saviour ideas) were influential in India.

How to extend

One could check records or texts from Mahayana circles patronised in such contexts for references to Avalokiteshvara as a future saviour or Buddha.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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